DT 8th May 2018
OUR PURPOSE TODAY
We have come here today because of an unstoppable urge within us to see, admire, thank, felicitate and follow a great personality in the field on business, philanthropy and service.
We have come here to acknowledge and understand that there are some people who have changed the way we look at giving and philanthropy without ever wanting to corner any glory or recognition for their work.
Honestly and Integrity,Faithfulness and Sincerity, Love and Devotion, Austerity and Simplicity, Purity and Propriety,Truthfulness and Trust Worthiness, Modestly and Nobility, together with the crowning Spirituality makes Smt Rajashree Birla an embodiment of sterling Character.
Rajashree Ji , who is being honoured today by The Rotary Foundation, is an example of how we can serve the community and advance our nation peacefully.
She has always continued to take us to the next level of awesomeness, every time she demonstrates her commitment to The Rotary Foundation.
Her commitment to the welfare of the community is unmatched in India. Her over US $11 million contribution to the cause of polio eradication and several more donations for other noble projects through Rotary and elsewhere has time and again reinforced our willingness to work more for community welfare since this alone can bring lasting peace in our planet.
Someone asked me about why people give ?
People make the mistake of thinking that donors give to those whom they love. The real answer is they love to those whom they give.
This shows why the mega Birla empire has embraced community welfare all over the country as their mission.
Taking action, that is giving, requires compassion and practice. Both these qualities were imbibed by her through the rich family traditions, first from her parents and then when she entered the Birla family.
Both the families gave her the necessary background to build the skills necessary for actively evolving the institutions in our civilization. That institution is service.
With Smt Rajashree Birla on our side, we were determined not to fail in our battle against polio and the results are there for all to see.
The Rotary Foundation India was determined not to be left behind when it came to supporting the programmes of the Foundation and it has always been that extra donation from Rajashree Ji that has made us go past the goal post and claim a place in the top two slots worldwide for giving.
RAJASHREE JI , The Rotary Foundation is a spirit in India today. It is no longer passive, thanks to your support. It is dynamic and full of life.
Rotary itself is again discovering itself and getting ready to for an age of tremendous transformation to cater to the changing needs of the communities worldwide.
Peace and how to make it a reality in this world, is now the most important task now at hand and one of the many ways is to ensure that peace can come about is when the community is rid of diseases, hunger and illiteracy. RAJASHREE JI ,Your benevolent contribution to The Rotary Foundation is helping us to progress in this area in many countries.
We owe to our children, to ourselves and to the tormented mankind and pledge that The Rotary Foundation will not allow the termination such as polio and other eradicated diseases engulf us again.
Thank you Rajashree Ji for emboldening us in Rotary to think big – very big.
I am sure that many people were not absolutely sure if a band of volunteers can change the world. The agnostics and skeptics, who had no idea what a service organisation could do, did feel that great things were possible when they saw you donate generously to The Rotary Foundation.
From your example we understood that life is not for asking for Salvation . You guided us to ask only for strength to uplift this nation.
You guided us to ask only to be allowed to live and work for the people of the world whom we love and to pray that we can lead our life for the welfare of the people. With your support we will lead it to its fulfillment.
Millions of Congratulations to Rotary Foundation India and R I District 3141 that they organised this special function to felicitate Smt Rajashree Ji Birla —
Who is Everest of talent, Taj Mahal of culture, And Sangam of dignity and charm .
8 May 2018